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Specter Signs The Public Option Letter
Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA)
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Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) announced via Twitter today that he has signed onto Sen. Michael Bennet's (D-CO) letter urging leadership to use reconciliation to pass a public option.
Specter is the 19th senator to do so. The most prominent signatory is Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the third-ranking Democrat in the Senate.
"I'm proud to sign Sen. Bennet's letter. I support a public option to lower health costs and keep insurance co's hones," Specter tweeted.
Under reconciliation, such a measure would need 51 votes to pass. Majority Leader Harry Reid today released a statement about the letter.
The other signatories : Sens. Bernie Sanders (VT), Al Franken (MN), Patrick Leahy (VT), John Kerry (MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), Michael Bennet (CO), Sherrod Brown (OH), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Jeff Merkley (OR), Dianne Feinstein (CA), Roland Burris (IL), Barbara Boxer (CA), Jack Reed (RI), Tom Udall (NM), Barbara Mikulski (MD) and Frank Lautenberg (NJ).
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ohyeathatsright
February 19, 2010 6:38 PM
Thank you Specter!
Seems like this Republican is a Democrat after all.
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Macnut222
February 19, 2010 6:49 PM in reply to ohyeathatsright
I just hope he remembers he's a democrat AFTER the election.
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FreeRider
February 19, 2010 7:45 PM in reply to ohyeathatsright
He's a candidate for the democratic nomination. The jury is still out on whether he's a democrat.
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superking
February 19, 2010 7:45 PM
Keep insurance cohones?
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Jackster
February 20, 2010 12:31 PM in reply to superking
HA!
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GayIthacan
February 20, 2010 4:49 AM
Of course these people are 'brave'...
Since the Public option is NEVER going to come to a vote.
Geeze - when did people become so gullible????? This is the most transparently obvious political stunt since, oh, the LAST transparently obvious political stunt.
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loudprogressive
February 20, 2010 4:36 PM in reply to GayIthacan
A political stunt would be putting the public option up for a vote without using reconciliation, knowing it didn't have the full 60 votes. The inevitability gambit is a typical political tactic but its failed you here.
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Nutter
February 20, 2010 8:08 PM in reply to GayIthacan
Geez, you guys are pathetic.
Public option is on the table. Obama is weak!
Public option is dead. Obama is a traitor!
Obama got a lot of the things he wanted. CORPORATE WHORE!
Obama did not get some of the things he wanted. FUCK YOU!
Public option is making a comeback. FUCK HOPE!
Did Obama use up all the hope in 08?
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ohyeathatsright
February 22, 2010 12:49 PM in reply to Nutter
Hope is a helluva drug.
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Measure for Measure
February 22, 2010 1:29 AM in reply to GayIthacan
What's wrong with stunts? Stunts are fun. My worry is that a robust public option might not pass the House. The Stupak gang are itching to flip flop on their support for reform last fall and bringing in Massa and Kucinich gives us a total of 2 more votes.
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2010/01/after-massachusetts-road-to-218-is-long.html
If health care reform passes, the public option can be tacked on later. If it doesn't, we'll have to wait another 10-15 years. Keeping the idea in play isn't a bad thing, but in the meantime: Pass. The Damn. Bill.
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James D
February 20, 2010 12:56 PM
Your list is missing Jeanne Shaheen (NH), who was #18, and Robert Menendez (NJ) makes #20!
http://whipcongress.com/
Call your Senators and tell them to do the right thing!
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February 20, 2010 8:29 PM
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June 8, 2010 4:41 AM
Of course these people are 'brave'...
Since the Public option is NEVER going to come to a vote.
Geeze - when did people become so gullible????? This is the most transparently obvious political stunt since, oh, the LAST transparently obvious political stunt.
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